The Fundación Laboral de la Construcción launched Orienta-tik, a new digital platform designed to promote career opportunities in the construction sector in Bizkaia. Funded by the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, the tool centralises essential information on training, in-demand trades, and working conditions, making it easier for individuals to explore a sector with strong employment prospects. The platform is divided into two main sections: one offering an overview of the sector and another with practical guidance on employment. By providing clear and accessible information, Orienta-tik aims to attract new workers and support professional growth in a field that continues to expand.
To ensure the sector’s future, Orienta-tik also addresses challenges such as skills development and generational renewal. Many young people do not consider construction as a career option, despite its promising opportunities. The industry is evolving with the integration of digital and green technologies, requiring specialised training in areas like BIM and AI. The platform highlights various training pathways, from short courses to advanced qualifications. It also aims to attract women and younger workers, underrepresented groups in construction. A dedicated section, Mujeres en Construcción, promotes opportunities for women in the sector. Accessible in four languages (Basque, Spanish, French, and English), Orienta-tik serves as a key resource to improve employability and connect individuals with careers in a transforming industry.
CEAR Madrid hosted the Employment and Diverse Talent Day to promote the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the workforce. The event showcased the skills and potential of refugee professionals, with CEAR Madrid coordinator Paco Garrido highlighting their valuable contributions to society. Begoña Arias, CEAR Madrid’s Inclusion Manager, stressed that employment and housing are key to social inclusion, while Noemí Mena from Erasmus University Rotterdam emphasised the benefits of intercultural workplaces for businesses.
Several companies shared their experiences in hiring refugees. Alsea has partnered with CEAR through its ‘En la línea de salida’ programme at Starbucks, while Carrefour has employed 120 refugees, improving team dynamics and employee engagement. PAZ.AI, a social startup, connects refugees with the tech sector by offering digital skills training, collaborating with companies like BlaBlaCar, which has successfully hired refugee professionals for IT and analytical roles. Social enterprises are also contributing to refugee employment. Causas CEAR runs eight kitchens across Spain, employing 39 people, 71% of whom are refugees. Foret and Ephimera have also incorporated refugees into their teams, with the latter urging small businesses to get involved. The event concluded with CEAR Madrid recognising 15 companies for their commitment to refugee inclusion, demonstrating the mutual benefits of integrating refugee talent into the labour market.
A total of 21 refugees and asylum seekers received training in masonry and electricity in the Valencian Community, thanks to a collaboration between the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), and the Refugee Reception Centre (CAR) in Valencia. Starting on June 6, an 80-hour Basic Housing Maintenance course was conducted to equip participants with the skills needed to carry out minor building repairs and maintenance tasks.
The training focused on essential skills in masonry, electricity, plumbing, and painting, enabling participants to address minor issues in buildings without disrupting their use or services. In cases of more significant breakdowns, they were trained to perform urgent initial repairs until a professional arrived. This practical training aimed to enhance the employability of refugees by providing them with hands-on experience in crucial building maintenance tasks.
This initiative was part of a broader effort to support the social and professional integration of asylum seekers in Spain. Through the collaboration between Fundación Laboral, CEAR, CAR, and ACCEM, refugees gained access to vocational training in various trades, improving their professional competencies and increasing their chances of employment. This programme not only strengthened their job prospects but also facilitated their integration into society.
More than 180 migrants and refugees participated in training on occupational safety and labour legislation in construction through the In2C project. Organised by the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, a partner in this EU-funded initiative under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the training took place across centres in Andalucía, Cantabria, Las Palmas, and Navarra, with support from CEAR Sevilla and Cruz Roja Cantabria. Participants came from Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Mali, and Ukraine.
In2C aims to integrate third-country nationals into the European construction labour market through training and networking with companies. The pilot sessions tested a virtual learning platform on safety and labour rights, a construction terminology glossary, and an online assessment tool. Participants found the training valuable, especially the glossary for workplace communication, and expressed interest in further learning.
Sessions were held in Las Palmas, Andalucía (Jerez de la Frontera and Seville), Navarra, and Cantabria, with over 90 trainees in the latter. The initiative is also being piloted in Greece, Cyprus, and Sweden to refine the programme.
Since 2018, Fundación Laboral has been part of this EU-wide consortium, led by the Technical Chamber of Greece, alongside partners from Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and Sweden. The project promotes collaboration between employers and migrant workers to improve employment opportunities and break down barriers in the construction sector.
Facing a significant labour shortage, the region of Galicia in Spain has launched an innovative program aimed at regularizing undocumented immigrants by providing free training in sectors experiencing high demand for workers. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the regional government, the charitable organization Cáritas, and local businesses.
The program is grounded in a government decree known as "arraigo para la formación," which requires participants to undergo professional training and secure employment contracts as a pathway to legal residency. Since its inception, the initiative has benefited hundreds of immigrants, offering them residency permits and stable employment opportunities in industries such as hospitality, construction, tourism, and agriculture.
Due to its success, the regional government has decided to expand the program, allocating additional funds to support more foreign workers. This approach not only addresses labor shortages but also promotes the social and economic integration of immigrants into the community.
Spain's construction industry is currently struggling with a substantial labour shortage, with the Confederación Nacional de la Construcción (CNC) estimating a deficit of approximately 700,000 workers. This shortfall persists despite the sector offering competitive salaries and having made significant strides in improving working conditions.
A notable concern is the industry's inability to attract younger workers, who represent a shrinking 9.6% of the total workforce. Challenge to attract youth is largely attributed to the sector's damaged reputation following the 2008 financial crisis and the perception of construction work as being particularly demanding and dangerous.
In response to these challenges, the CNC, along with other industry stakeholders, has proposed several initiatives. These include promoting the industrialisation of construction processes to modernize the industry, implementing strategies to improve the sector's public image, and facilitating the regularization and comprehensive training of migrants to integrate them into the workforce effectively.